ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter made a prediction about what the matchup will be for the kickoff game of the 2025 NFL season.
We understand that the Philadelphia Eagles will be hosting the yearly Thursday night season opener as the reigning Super Bowl champions. But against whom will they compete?
We won’t have official confirmation of that until May, when the NFL usually unveils the complete season’s schedule.
However, Schefter feels that a possible emerging team will be chosen as the rival. In 2025, the Eagles will welcome the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Rams.
The league might reserve the Lions-Eagles game for another time during the season, understanding that fans will tune in for the NFL’s opening game regardless, so why “waste” a key matchup right away?
The Lions (15-2) and Eagles (14-3) secured the top two spots in the NFC playoffs, yet they did not face each other as the Lions were defeated decisively by Washington in the divisional round.
“I could also envision the league reserving that game for one of its prime, high-rating weeks when they require impressive viewership,” Schefter noted last week on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.”
Detroit and Philadelphia faced each other for the last time in Week 1 of 2022 at Ford Field, where the Eagles secured a 38-35 win. Their most recent matchup in Philly took place in 2019, where the Lions triumphed 27-24 in Week 3.
Another leading choice would be the Commanders in a rematch of the NFC championship game, which the Eagles won decisively, 55-23. The NFL has avoided division rivalry matchups in its season openers — it has occurred only three times in the last 23 years.
However, according to Schefter, the Bears, led by NFL Assistant Coach of the Year Ben Johnson, are now the team to observe. Johnson served as the Lions’ offensive coordinator for the past three seasons.
“I can definitely envision it now.” “Ben Johnson’s debut match in Philadelphia,” Schefter stated. “Bears aiming to stage a resurgence.” It’s not the headline game that you reveal prematurely when you’ll still get the viewership with the Lions or the Rams. However, it’s an intriguing enough pairing that everyone would be eager to witness it.
“I think, at this moment, that the opening game will feature the Bears versus the Eagles.” I’m making my prediction right now.